Zeitgeist of America: Cold War

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Transcript of Zeitgeist of America: Cold War

Suspicion of Communism on Pop CultureSecond Red Scare Impact on SocietySuspicion of Communism CommitteesDuring the Second Red Scare, the Communist Party USA became one of the nations largest communist groups. Based out of Los Angeles, the Communist Party USA or CPU was known to have many Hollywood stars apart of the Party. The idea of communism was a hot topic, and many directors were staring to base their films off of it. This only heightened suspicion of famous people being apart of communism because of how popular it became in Hollywood. In 1947, the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) investigated Communist activities in Hollywood. Head studio directors and actors were all suspected of being apart of communism and were forced to corporate with the HUAC and their investigation. Because of the fear the second red scare brought, the government created programs such as the Federal Employee Loyalty Program (FELP) and the House of Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC). Both of these organizations were created out of suspicions throughout the government of America being involved in communism. The Federal Employee Loyalty program was a program signed by President Harry S. Truman and was designed to demolish communism influence with various departments of the U.S. federal government. The program checked employees to make sure that they weren't affiliated with communist. Like the FELP, the House of Un-American Activities Committee was also created on suspicion. It was an investigative organization that looked into any thing the believed were "un-American acts" especially if they were associated with communism. HUAC investigated private parts of Americans because they suspected involvement with communism. Though civil liberties were often violated by these two groups, the suspicion of communism around the country overlooked the wrongdoings of the committees.1947-1957By: Adaiwu NwaiwuMoore 3rdSuspicions of CommunismThe Second Red ScareMcCarthyismThe Second Red Scare was the American fear of a potential rise of communism in the country. Many U.S. citizens were extremely afraid of the because of the increase in fear of a communist takeover. The Second Red Scare occurred after World War II from 1947-1957. With organizations such as the Communist Party Of The United States rising, American citizens began to form the opinion that their own neighbors and friends had joined the communist frenzy. The idea of U.S. residents turning their back on American culture and supporting communism sent mass hysteria through cities across the nation. People began to look for any factor to accuse their former neighbors and friends of being Soviet spies or being apart of the communist movement. Many were fired out of jobs treated as outcast by society because of their alleged involvement with the Soviet Union and other communist nations. With everyone accusing each other of be unpatriotic to the beloved country, the U.S. underwent a time period of intense suspicion through communities. Joseph McCarthy was a national representation of how erratic and suspicious people became during the Second Red Scare. He was a republican senator who publicly accused hundreds of democrats of being communists. McCarthy was recognized by most Americans because if the claims he made about large numbers of Communist and Soviet spies and sympathizes in the United States government. He sent a wave of hysteria and suspicion throughout the nation. Americans began not only questioning their neighbors true motives, but also their governments. McCarthyism coined from McCarthy became know as the practice of making accusations of disloyalty, subversion, or treason without proper regard for evidence. The practice of McCarthyism spread rapidly around the U.S. and soon people started accusing others of being loyal to communist. McCarthy created such a high level of suspicion in the nation, that people were starting to really believe when he said he knew people in the government who were communist supporters. He single handily changed America by heightening political repression against communists, and spread paranoia of their influence on American government. Zeitgeist of America: The Second Red ScareSUSPICIONThe Second Red Scare had a huge impact on society. It caused Americans to live in constant fear and suspicion of communist spies and supporters. This intense suspicion caused many to lose their jobs because they were accused of being communist or communist friendly. Many people kept to themselves because they were afraid to interact with those who were suspected communists. People who were suspected communist were often exiled from society and treated liked criminals. Communist became the biggest talked about subject during this time which led the American people have a great deal of suspicion of potential communist in the country and also caused Americans to become judgmental and hateful to those who shared opposing political views.